10.6.3—
Scientific Progress without Naturalization

Third, as argued above, it is possible to have important kinds of scientific progress without also achieving interesting metaphysical results or solving traditional philosophical problems. A philosophy of cognitive science that is tied down to particular metaphysical goals is not free to assess the kind of good-making qualities that psychological theories may enjoy (and which perhaps some already do) that fall short of these goals. My approach, in contrast, emphasizes such achievements, while remaining open to the investigation of results with more metaphysical bite should they arise.